Dealing with unscrupulous eBayers across the border

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Posted By: Max Weder

Since my tax appeal case settled today, I thought I could offer comments in an area I don't practice in.

My first thought is: phone the seller. Perhaps you have done this, but on a phone call, it is easier for you to determine whether his story holds water. Get the insurance and tracking number from him. While it seems unlikely that Canada Post lost both packages, it could happen. Packages can be delayed at Customs, both Canada and US, if inspected, and improper declaration forms have been made (I have noted the importance of being accurate on these declarations in other threads, and if they are not, this can be a very real delay in cross-border shipments) I would say at least ten per cent of my purchases are held for inspection coming north, and I suspect the figure is similar going south.

My only comment on the going to the police is that in most provinces (and I presume Ontario), you cannot use the threat of going to the police to extract the refund from another contracting party. Given these facts so far, I suspect any police department would show next to zero interest, unless additional facts can be established.

As for the RCMP and Dudley, in Ontario, I think it would be the Ontario Provincial Police or the local particular city police which would deal with such a problem.

You can have recourse to Ontario Small Claims court to try and obtain recovery, but your costs and time will no doubt exceed the amounts involved.

Also, I hate to tell Hal, but the RCMP only wear their red tunics for ceremonial occasions. However, two blocks from my office, they have a Disney-run store which sells souvenirs of their officially licensed products. Hal, when you come to Vancouver, I'll be sure to take you there, so you can start another collecting area, and keep away from baseball books